Known as the “sunshine state,” Queensland enjoys a relaxed and luxurious lifestyle. Along with its perfect climate and seaside towns, Queensland is home to a 135-million-year-old rainforest, and one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. When thinking of Australia, many people picture lazy days on white sand beaches - nowhere is this image of Australia more of a reality than in Queensland.
Perhaps the centerpiece of the region, the city of Brisbane, tempts visitors and locals alike with its welcoming Queenslander architecture, cheerful markets and cafés, and a beach downtown. Wandering down south, the Gold Coast offers sophisticated waterfront resorts, gourmet restaurants and a healthy dose of unique beach culture, Aussie-style.
The main attraction of Northern Queensland is undoubtedly The Great Barrier Reef, but the region is full of rich and diverse wonders that deserve their own recognition. As the gateway to the tropical north, the city of Cairns features an eclectic combination of tropical outdoor living, cosmopolitan sophistication and easy access to adventure.
Further north, the Wet Tropics Rainforest is Australia’s equivalent of the Amazon, home to the highest number of rare or endangered plant and animal species in the world. Venture to the tip of the Daintree and you’ll end up at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, a perfect mix of the best of what Queensland has to offer.
Trekking through the Daintree Rainforest is as if I wandered into a time capsule from millions of years ago. The sounds, scenes and plant life are unlike anything I have seen.
— Ian Swain II, Vice President
